Hurricane Ida relief: how you can help

Right now, millions of people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and other areas feeling the effects of Hurricane Ida need your help. The powerful Category 4 storm struck southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, August 29, the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

More than 1 million people in Louisiana are without power as of Monday, August 30, leaving thousands without a way to call for help. As the storm brings flash floods to Mississippi and Tennessee, we hope you’ll consider pitching in.

Here at the Obama Foundation, we’re thinking of all the people and communities whose lives have been upended by natural disasters like these, which climate change makes more frequent and intense with each passing year.

As we saw in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we know that the rebuilding and recovery from this devastation will be led by local leaders at the community level. Below, you’ll find a few organizations that would benefit from any support you can offer.

The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners. You can dial 800-621-3362 for assistance, or visit their website. (Opens in a new tab)

Imagine Water Works (Opens in a new tab) is reimagining the future through art, science, and connection, with a focus on water, climate justice, and disaster response.

Another Gulf (Opens in a new tab) is taking mutual fund donations, and also provides a way to find mutual aid resources.

Furry companions need support right now, too. Check out the Louisiana SPCA (Opens in a new tab) to support their response.

The Red Cross (Opens in a new tab) provides a tool to help victims and their loved ones find an open shelter.

Culture Aid NOLA (Opens in a new tab) provides twice-weekly distributions of fresh food to everyone in need. They believe in "serving our community with dignity, hospitality and grace and aim to create a welcoming environment for all."

Colette founded the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy (Opens in a new tab) to dismantle structural racism exacerbated by climate change. Learn more +

Gifts made to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund (Opens in a new tab) will provide help to those impacted by the severe storms and flooding.

The United Way of South Mississippi (Opens in a new tab) works with "local organizations to thoughtfully build strategies to create resilient communities."

If you would like to support Haiti’s ongoing earthquake relief and recovery efforts, click here.